"राम काज लगि तब अवतारा" — The Dharma of the Indian NRI in Foreign Lands

 

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"राम काज लगि तब अवतारा" — The Dharma of the Indian NRI in Foreign Lands

(In the Spirit of Sundarkand and Lankakand, Ramcharitmanas)

When Hanuman set foot in Lanka, he wasn’t just a messenger — he was a sevak (servant), a diplomat, a spy, a reformer, and above all, a bridge between dharma and adharma, between worlds. His mission was crystal clear: "राम काज लगि तब अवतारा" — "I have taken birth to serve the cause of Ram."

Today, the Indian NRI finds themselves in a foreign land, in a similar dharmic predicament. Amidst technological marvels and material opulence, they are still confronted with moral, social, and cultural conflicts. The NRI, like Hanuman in Lanka, has a responsibility to:

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1. Be the Embodiment of Satya and Seva

"बोलो पवनपुत्र हनुमान की जय" isn't just a slogan — it is an invocation of truthfulness, strength, and humility. Hanuman operated not with ego but with dāsattva — servant leadership. NRIs too are called to act not in arrogance of status or wealth, but as cultural ambassadors — grounded in truth, helping build bridges of understanding, humility, and service in their adopted nations.

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2. Act with Fierce Integrity in Hostile Systems

"मुठिका एक महाकपि हनी, रुधिर बमत धरती ढनमनी" — With a single blow of his fist, Hanuman shattered the false pride of demons. This is not about violence — this is symbolic of inner strength. The NRI often faces discrimination, stereotyping, or even internalized doubt. But like Hanuman, they must remain firm, fearless, and dharma-driven, even when surrounded by alien value systems.

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3. Be a Truth Bearer, Not a 'Panouti'

Ravana and his courtiers mocked Vibhishan as "पनौती कहीं का" — a bearer of ill omen — when in truth, he was the only one trying to warn, reform, and redirect Lanka toward dharma. NRIs who speak uncomfortable truths in foreign corporations or governments, who question unethical systems or challenge the status quo, are sometimes labelled similarly — as outsiders, troublemakers, or 'ungrateful immigrants'.
But like Vibhishan and Hanuman, they are fulfilling a higher responsibility — to speak truth before collapse happens.

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4. Cultural Guardianship and Reconnection

Hanuman's role wasn't limited to battle — he also gave Sita Ram's ring, a sign of connection, hope, and identity. The NRI must carry the ring of Indian cultural wisdom, not just in private rituals or festivals, but through conscious contribution to their societies — in education, environmental justice, peace-making, and spiritual dialogues.

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5. Crisis Mitigator in Global KalYuga

"पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरत रूप" — Hanuman is invoked as the remover of crises and the form of auspiciousness. The NRI can be this too — by acting as problem-solvers in transnational conflicts, as sponsors of green tech and global welfare, as channels of peace amidst polarised global politics. Their dual identities allow them to bring perspective, not division.

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Conclusion: A Hanuman-like Vocation

Hanuman in Lanka was not an invader — he was a restorer of balance. Likewise, the Indian NRI is not merely a remitter of foreign exchange or a passive observer. They are called to be:

• Satyavadi (Truth-bearers)
• Dās (Servants of Dharma)
• Sankatmochan (Crisis Removers)
• Karma-Yogis in a global Lanka

Let the chant resound not just in temples but in our conduct:
"दासोऽहम" — I am a servant of the higher cause.

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Jai Hanuman. Jai NRI Dharma. Jai Ram Rajya Global Vision.

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